Billing-machine aligner



Oct. 29, 1929. BOTTLE BILLING MACHINE ALIGNER Original Filed Jan. 22. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet A TTORNEYS.

Get. 29, 1929. E. K. BOTTLE BILLING MACHINE ALIGNER 2 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed Jan. 22. 1926 INVENTOR.

IQ'IM& WMPM ATTORNEYS.

NM Mm .Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD.KIIRBY iBOTTLlE, F ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN SALES .ZBOOK bOMPANY, LIMITED, OF TORONTO, CANADA, A CORPORATION OF ONTARIO,

CANADA runner-MACHINE ALIGNER Application filed January 22, 1926, Seria1 No, 83,150. Renewed March 20, 1929.

This invention relates to improvements in billing or like machines in which one record strip or a plurality of superposed strips are supported for reception of a record or inscription. In some of its aspectsthe invention deals more especially with improvements in-aligning mechanism for aligning the strips with reference to each other and with respect to writing position, on a supporting platen, and for smoothing the strips over the writing platen.

It is a general object of the invention to provide in a machine of the class mentioned, an improved strip aligning and positioning mechanism of simple construction and arrangement whereby a number of superposed traveler record strips having successive blank forms therealong may be continuously maintained in correct superposed alignment for registry with each other when in lnscriptionn receiving position.

A further object is to provide, in a machin of the class mentioned, animproved strip aligning and positioning mechanism whereby one or more travelerrecord strips may be aligned and restrainedin correct'inscrlptionreceiving osition with respect to a writing table or p aten.'

Still another object 1s to prov de, 1n a machine of the class mentioned, an lmproved record strip positioning mechanism whereby one or a plurality of superposed traveler record strips maybe smoothed and kept free from wrinkles or creases when in writlng position on the platen, in order that inscriptions may'be most efliciently recorded and transferred to the underlying sheets or stripsz: o a v A further object of theinvention is to provide an improved-arrangement for aligning and restraining the record strips in inscription-receiving position and for freeing the strips from such restraint when it is desired to feed them.

Another object is to provide, for machines of existing construction of the class men tioned, an improved strip aligning and positioning attachment which may be readily applied in operativeposition upon the existing machine.

section showing the aligning mechanism,

Other objects will be in part pointed out in the accompanying detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention and will be in part obvious in connection therewith.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of-the application 0 of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a complete understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference is had to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmental, central, longitudinal vertical section through a billing machine of the flat platen type, showing the invention applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, certain parts being removed or broken away to facilitate clearness of disclosure,

Fig. 3 is. a fragmentary enlarged detail Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig; 3 showing the aligning-mechanism in a different operative position, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a fragment of a record strip or bill form, such as may be employed in the machine.

The improved strip aligning and tensioning mechanism may be embodied in billing or writing machines of different character, and may be applied to such machines of existing types of construction. Referring to the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of the embodiment of the inven tion there shown, it will be observed that the improved aligning mechanism is applied to a billing machine of the flat platen type, over which the writing machine proper travels on supporting rails or tracks in order to effect line spacing.

The supporting frame for the machine may be of any preferred form, the showing of the drawing being somewhat diagrammatic and fragmentary for convenience of illustration. The main supporting frame work or base 10 which carries the operative parts of the machine, may be supported in any desired manner as by legs, a pedestal, or other form of support (not shown). The track and sheet supporting frame 11 is appropriately supported upon the base frame 10 and includes two parallel longitudinal side rails or bars 12 connected by transverse frame members 13. The typewriting machine 14 which is employed in the illustrative embodiment is mounted upon the longitudinal side rails for movement back and forth thereon over the fiat writing platen 15 which supports therecord sheets or strips S in flat smooth position for receiving the impact of the type. As understood by those familiar with this art, the general arrangement of the record strips and typewriting machine is such as to permit the type to strike upon different parts of the strips S to impart thereto printed impressions so that blank bill forms or other blank spaces may be filled in.

'As it is usually desired to "make more than one copy, a plurality of superposed record strips may be employed as shown in Fig. 1, carbon sheets or similar transfer material being interposed between the adjacent superposed sheets over the platen. If carbon paper is used, the supply thereof may be supported adjacent the platen in any preferred known manner. Three superposed record strips S are shown in Fig. 1, but it will be understood that as many strips may be superposed one on the other as desired to provide the required number of copies.

The supply of blank record strips is preferably arranged in the form of a zigzag book or pad S which may be supported and housed upon or adjacent to the machine inany convenient manner. 'The strips are preferably provided with apertures arranged in one or more series therein for cooperation with the aligning mechanism of the machine and positioned in definite relation to the blank forms of the strips.

In order to hold or restrain the record strips in correct position on the platen for reception of an entry or inscription, a clamp or similar holding means is provided in the vicinity of the platen. This strip restraining means may be of any preferred form as found on machinesof existing construction, that shown being in the form of a transverseclamping bar '16 positioned against the leading end of the platen near the front of the machine. This clamping bar cooperates to grip the strips therebetween and a bed formed by the upper forwardly inclined surface of the front transverse frame member 13. The clamping bar is supported at opposite ends thereof by supporting levers or arms 17 pivoted to the side rails 12 by a transverse rod' 18 extending through the levers and anchored in the side rails. Each of the levers 17 is articulated to the adjacent side rail 12 by means of a link 19 loosely pivoted tothe lever 17 at 20 and pivoted to the side railat 21. The rock arms or levers are biased to hold the clamping bar in gripping position by means of one or more tensioning springs 22 anchored to the frame and to lugs 23 depend ing from the rock arms.

- to a U-shaped operating lever 26 by means of a link 27 connected to the bow end'of the U-lever. This U-Iever is pivoted through its opposite legs to the adjacent links 19 by means of a pivot rod 28, the legs of the U-lever extending beyond'this pivot rod to underlie and contact with the pivot rod 18, which thus acts as an abutment for the legs of the U-lever when it is rocked b the pedal to operate the clamping bar. %y means of the mounting for the clamp bar 16 and the operating connections therefor as set forth, it will be seen that depression of the pedal will raise the clamping bar to release its grip upon the strip, while the bar is returned to gripping position by operation of the springs 22 when pressure upon the pedal is released.

The blank strips or sheets used in practice for billing or like purposes are ordinarily provided with blank forms printed thereon as indicated at 29, Fig. 5. Also in the form of record strip shown, which is a continuous or traveler strip adapted to be fed from the supply pad S over the writing bed of the ma chine, the successive blank forms or form leaves are separated from each other by transverse lines 30 which may be perforated or otherwise weakened to facilitate severance fromthe strips of the sheets which have been written upon. In the zigzag form of pack shown, these transverse lines 30 preferably coincide with the folds at the ends of the pack. Also for effecting strip alignment, the record strips are preferably provided with alignment apertures 31 arran ed in pairs in each form leaf and positioned in two longitudinal series in the strips. These aligning apertures cooperate with the strip aligning and positioning mechanism for alignin the strips upon the writin platen, both wit relation to each other to ring the blank forms into correct registry, and with reference to said platen. This aligning mechanism will now be described.

The strip aligning and positioning device is preferably in the form of an attachment which may be readily applied to machines of existing construction. In the form shown, this attachment includes a base or supporting plate 32 provided at its opposite ends with screw clamps 33, so it may readily be clamped into operative position upon the side rails 12 of the paper supporting and track frame.

When the aligning attachment is clamped in position, the record strips pass thereover and are supported thereby in their passage from the supply pad to the writing platen of the machine. Toward its rear edge, the base plate 32 may be provided with edge guides 34 for the strips, these guides being adjustably mounted in transverse slots formed in the plate. A roller support or guide 35 may also be provided rearwardly of the base plate for receiving and supporting the strips as they emerge from the supply pad. This guide roller is preferably provided with annular guiding flanges for contacting with the strip edges to guide and position the strips.

Toward the forward edge of the base plate 32, there is secured a guide plate 36 spaced from the base plate so as to provide a guiding passageway forthe reception of the record strips. A movable strip tensioning and presser bar 37 is also carried by the base plate 32, being preferably swingably supported at the outer ends of swinging arms 38 pivoted to the base. plate. This presser bar normally overlies the record strips contacting with the upper surface thereof and exerting downward pressure thereupon, as shown in Figure 1.

Upstanding from the upper face of the base plate 32 and preferably rigidly secured thereto, are two transversely spaced aligning pins 39 arranged intermediate the forward strip guiding plate 3tand the strip guiding lugs 34. It will be understood that one or two or more of these aligning pins may be employed, two arranged as described being found convenient and effective for most commercial work.

A strip positioning and lifting plate 40 is also mounted upon the base plate 32 extending transversely thereof and supported for swinging or pivotal movement in bearings 41 by means of a pivot rod 46, and having its freeor swinging edge positioned to move in proximity to the aligning pins 39. As shown, this strip positioning and guiding plate 40 is preferably formed with oif-set parts 42, 43 lying in different planes, and with-a longitudinalslot- 44 positioned between said off-set parts for the reception of the record strips,

one part of the positioning plate thus overlying the strips and another part underlying theni,-so as topositively. position said strips relatively to the aligning pins 39 as the positioning plate moves in either direction. A part of the plate adjacent the slot 44 may beturned at an angle to the plane of the adjacent metal so as to form a longitudinal rigidifying flange or rib 45.

To the pivotal supporting rod 46 of the positioning plate 40 is connected an operating arm 47 connected by a'link 48 to a rock shaft 49 through a crank arm 50 connected to said rock shaft. An inwardly disposed crank arm 51 of rock shaft 49 is connected by a link 52 to one end of an operating rock arm 53 pivotally mounted upon a supporting block or bracket 54. This supporting bracket is formed so as to be readily attachable to an existing part of the machine frame without alteration or additions to said frame, as for example, by means of a set screw to secure the bracket to one ofthe transverse frame members 13. At its opposite end, the rock arm 53 is provided with an operating contact face 55 positioned to contact 'with the underside of the bow of the U-lever 26. The rock arm 53 is normally urged by means of a tension spring 56 to raise the strip positioning plate 40 through the intermediate operating connections as shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen from the above description that the strip aligning and positioning attachment, together with the operating connections therefor, maybe readily applied to existing billing or like machines with a minimum of labor and effort and without impairment of the existing construction or interruption to the normal operative functions of the machine.

The objects and nature of the invention having been set forth and an illustrative embodiment having been disclosed in detail, operation of the invention will now be understood and for emphasis and clearness may be summarized as follows:

The normal operative positions of the various elements of the machine are as shown in Figure 1. In this position, the superposed record strips are aligned in inscription receiving position on the platen 15 and are clamped or restrained in this position by the clampin bar 16 which is held in its clamped position by operation of the spring 22. The

strip positioning and guiding plate 40 is then in raised position, thus holding th estrips so as to clear the upper'ends of the aligning pins 39. .VVith the parts thus disposed, the typewriting machine is operated to write upon the strips. When the Writing is completed, the pedal 24 is depressed to raise and release the clamping bar 16 thus freeing the forward parts of the strips so they may be grasped and manually pulled forwardly. Depression of the pedal, through operation of the rock arm 53 by the positioning lever 26, moves the strip positioning plate 40 to its downward position as shown in Fig. 3, thus positioning the strips to ride as they advance over the tops of the aligning pins 39. (For convenience of illustration, but a single record strip S is shown at the positioning plate 40 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but it will be underblank forms in correct registry, and also aligning and positioning all of the strips and stop:

ping them in correct inscription receiving position on the platen, with the transverse weakened lines substantially in alignment with the forward edge of the clamping bar 16, which may thus function as a tearing edge for assisting in severing the forwardly fed parts of the strips. The strips'are fed forwardly, algined and positioned when the pedal is depressed and the clamp released, being thus in relatively loose condition upon the supporting frame and free so they may move relatively to each other for alignment, and their feeding movement is unimpeded.

Having been moved into inscription receiving position as described, the pedal 24: is released whereupon the following sequence of events takes place. The clamping bar-16 first takes effect to grip the forward part of the strips, said strips at this instant being'restrained at rearward parts thereof by the action to 'disalign the apertu-resand aligning pins 39, now in engagement with the aligningapertures '31. The presser bar 37 is now exerting downward pressure upon the face of the strips creating a tension in the strips and eflecting a smoothing action thereupon over the platen. This smoothing action avoids wrinkles or creases in the paper, the presence of which would interfere.with the making of-a full and clear out impression by the type upon the paper, and would also interfere with the transfer of a full and clear cut impression to the underlying sheets.

The next event of importance takes place as the rising strip positioning plate 40 lifts the strips so that the apertures thereof are freed from the upper ends of the aligning pins. As this freeing action occurs, the forward pulling action on the strip created by the pressure of the presser bar 37 causes the strips to be jogged or moved forwardly so as to disalign the apertures 31 With the aligning pins. The plate 40 is shown in this position in Fig. 1. The importance of this jogging ms will be seen when it is remembered that? the pedal must be depressed to bring the plate 40 to its lowered position as shown in Fig. 3 before the strip can be advanced. When depression of the pedal is effected, the pins cannotreengage with the aligning apertures which have last been engaged thereby due to the disaligning action described, and the strips therefore are free to be fed forwardly, while at the same time they are held in position by the positioning plate 40 to drag or slide over the tops of the aligning pins, whereby the next succeeding set of aligning apertures are enteredby the aligning pins to accomplish the aligning act-ion described. The strips therefore are always free to be fed forwardly when the pedal is depressed while they are I positively held in position by action of the with the aligning pins are controlled in alternation by operation of the pedal to effect the strip restraining and aligning functions described. WVhen the clamping bar is in'strip clam-ping position with the pedal raised, the

leasi'ng'position; upon depression of the pedal the clamping bar is released while the guiding plate 40 is positioned to hold thestrips in position to be engaged by the aligning pins. The only period that both forward and rear restraining devices are active to exert restraint upon the stripis when the presser bar is active to tension and smooth the strips as clescribed above.

Since certain changes may be made 1n the above construction and difierent embodiments of the invention could be made without'departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the foL lowing claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the in vention herein described, and all statements ofthe scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: i

1. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a Writing platen over which a traveler record strip having inscription areas may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, means for automatically engaging the strip as it is fed forwardly to align and restrain it in position for reception of an inscription, means for freeing the strip from said restraining means, and means for automatically jogging the strip forwardly when freed from said strip restraining means.

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a traveler record strip having inscription areas and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, a strip aligning pin over which the strip rides when fed whereby said pin may automatically enter an aligning aperture to restrain the strip in position for reception ofan inscription, means for freeing the strip from the aligning pin, and means for jogging the strip to disalign the aperture with the aligning pin thereby to prevent re-engagement between said aperture and pin.

3. In a machine of the character described,

strip guiding plate 40 is in raised or strip re- I in combination, a writing platen over which releasing position.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a traveler record strip having inscription areas may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, a plurality of strip restraining means engaging the strip at longitudinally spaced parts thereof to restrain it against longitudinal movement, a cominon operating means tor alternately operating said strip restraining means into strip releasing position, and means becoming effective upon release of one strip restraining means and before release of the other strip restraining means to automatically move the engaged part of the strip away from said first released strip restraining means.

5. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a record strip having inscription areas and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, strip restraining means for engaging the strip to restrain it in inscription receiving position, strip aligning pins positioned at the rear of'said strip restraining means and in the path of thestrip so as to automatically enter said aligning apertures to restrain and align the advancing strip in inscription receiving position, and means for freeing, the strip from said aligning pins while restrained by said restraining means.

6. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a record strip having inscription areas and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, strip restraining means for engaging the strip to restrain it in inscription receiving position, strip aligning pins positioned at the rear of said strip restraining means and in the path of the strip so as to automatically enter said aligning apertures to restrain and align the advancing. strip in inscription receiving position, means for freeing the strip from said aligning pins while restrained by said restraining means, and means to jog said strip forwardly when freed from said aligning ins. e p 7. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a record strip having inscription areas and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, strip restraining means for engaging the strip to restrain it in inscription receiving position, strip aligning pins positioned at the rear of said strip restraining means and in the path of the strip so as to automatically enter said aligning apertures to align and restrain the strip in inscription receivingnposition, means for feeding the strip from said aligning pins while restrained by said restraining means, and a presser bar exerting pressure transversely upon said strip so as to jog the latter when freed from said aligning pins todisalign the apertures with said plus.

8. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a traveler record strip having inscription areas and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, strip aligning pins, positioning means for relatively positioning said strip and pins so the latter may automati cally enter said aligning apertures to restrain the advancing strip in inscription receiving position, means for operating said positioning means to free the engagement between said aligning pins and said apertures, and means for preventing re-engagement of the aligning pins with the disengaged aligning apertures when said positioning means returns to operative position.

9. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a traveler record strip having inscription areas and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for the reception of inscriptions, strip aligning pins, a strip positioning member for directing the strip in a path adjacent said aligning pins so the latter may automatically enter said apertures to restrain and align the advancing strip in inscription receiving position, means for operating said positioning member to free the engagement between said aligning pins and apertures, and means for jogging the strip when freed from said aligning pins so as to prevent re-engagement between said disengaged apertures and the ali ing pins.

10. I h a machine 'of the character described, in combination, a writ-ing platen over which a traveler record strip having inscription areas and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, means for restraining the forward part of the strip in inscription receiving position, strip aligning'means positioned in the rear of said' restraining means'and including an aligning pin adapted to enter the apertures of the advancing record strip to restrain and align it, and operating connectionsbetween said strip re straining means and said strip aligning means so as to set said aligning means in position to efiect strip alignment when said restraining means is in strip releasing position.

11. A strip aligning device for one traveler strip or a plurality of superposed traveler strips with serially arranged aligning apertures, including, in combination, an aligning pin for entering apertures in the strips, a strip positioning member for positioning the strips adjacent to said aligning pin whereby said pin may enter the aligning apertures of the advancing strips to align and restrain them in inscription receiving position, means for operating said strip positioning member to disengage the aligning apertures and pin from each other after an aligning coaction'and to return it again into operative position, and means to prevent reengagement between the aligning pins and the disengaged aligning aperture.

12. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed record strips having aligning apertures therein may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, means for restraining the forward parts of said strips against longitudinal movement, an aligning pin positioned in the rear of said platen and adapted for entering said aligning apertures for aligning the record strips,

means for operating said strip restraining means, means controlled by said operating means for freeing said pin and strips from engagement with each other when forward parts of the strips are restrained by said strip restraining means, and means for automatically jogging the strips when freed from the aligning pin so as to disalign the apertures with said pin.

13. In am'achine of the character dematically jogging the strip when freed fromthe aligning pin so as to disalign the aperture with said pin.

14. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a record strip having blank forms thereon and aligning apertures in definite relation to the blank forms may be fed and supported for reeeption of an inscription,

means for restraining the forward part of said strip in inscription receiving position, an aligning pin positioned in the rear of said platen and adapted for entering said aligning apertures for aligning the strips with reference to the platen, means for freeing said pin and strip from engagement with each other, and means for sequentially operating said strip restraining means into strip restraining position and then operating said freeing means into freeing position.

15; In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a record strip having blank forms thereon,and aligning apertures in definite relation to the blank forms may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, means for restraining the forward part of said strip in inscription receiving position, an aligning pin positioned in the rear of said platen and adapted for entering said aligning apertures for aligning the strips with reference to the platen, means for freeing said pin and strip from enga ement with each other, means for sequentially operating said strip restraining means into strip restraining position and then operating said freeing means into freeing position, and means for jogging the strip when freed from said aligning pin so as to disalign the aperture with said pin.

16. In a machine of the character de scribed. in combination, a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed record strips having blank forms and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of inscriptions, means for restraining forward parts of said strips in inscription receiving position, an aligning pin positioned in the rear of said platen and adapted for entering said aligning apertures for aligning said strips, and a presser bar extending transversely of the record strips and exerting transverse pressure thereupon so as to og the stripswhen freed from said aligning pin so as to disalign the apertures therewith.

17. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed record strips having blank forms and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of inscriptions, means for restraining forward parts of said strips in inscription receiving position, an aligning pin positioned in the rear of said platen and adapted for entering said aligning apertures for aligning said strips, a strip disengaging member movably mounted adjacent said aligning pin and underlying said superposed strips and being operable to disengage the strips from said aligning pin.

18. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed record strips having blank forms and aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of inscriptions, means for restraining the forward parts of said strips in inscription receiving position, an aligning pin positioned in the rear of said platen and adapted for entering said aligning apertures for aligning the strips and forms, a strip disengaging member movably mounted adjacent said aligning pin and underlying said superposed strips and being operable to disengage the strips from said aligning pin, and operating mechanism for setting said strip restraining means into strip restraining position and subsequently operating said strip disengaging member to disengage the strips. from said aligning pin;

I 19. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed record strips having aligning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of inscriptions, means for restraining the forward parts of said strips in inscription receiving position.

- parts of said strips in inscription receivingan aligning pin positioned in the rear of said platen and adapted for entering said align- -ing apertures for aligning the strips, a strip disengaging member movably mounted adj acent said aligning pin and underlying said superposed strips and being operable to disengage the strips from said aligning pin, operating mechanism for setting said strip restraining means into strip rest-raining position and subsequently operating said strip disengaging member to disengage the strips from said aligning pin and a movably' mounted presser bar extending transversely of the record strips and exerting pressure thereon so as to jog the strips when freed from said alingning pin and disalign the aperture therewith. 1

20. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed record strips having alingning apertures may be fed and supported for reception of inscriptions,

means for restraining the forward parts of disengage the strips from the pins or to move them toward engaging position therewith.

21. In amachine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed traveler record strips having aligning apertures may be fed andsupported for reception of inscriptions, means for restraining the forward position, an aligning pin positioned in the rear of said platen and adapted for entering said aligning apertures for aligning the strips, a movably mounted member having a part underlying said strips adjacent said record strips may be fed and supported for.

reception of an inscription, and having a means'for restraining the strip in inscription receiving position and manual operating means for releasing the said strip restraining means, of a detachable strip aligning attachment for said machine, including a base having attaching members by means of which the attachment may be detachably attached in operative position on the machine, said aligning atta chmenthaving strip engaging means to restrain the strips in aligned position and being mounted for operation upon said base, so as to engage the strips at points thereof spaced from said strip restraining means to effect restraining action when the strips are in writing position on the platen, and operating connections between said operating means and said strip engaging means so as to control strip engagement by the latter.

23. The combination with a machine of the character .described having a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed record strips may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription and having a means for restraining the strips in inscripiton receiving position and manual means for releasing said strip restraining means, of a detachable attachment for said machine having strip aligning means for engaging the strips to restrain them in aligned position, and a strip presser bar also carried by said detachable attachment and positioned for contacting with the record strip beyond said platen.

24. The combination with a machine of the character described having a writing platen over which a plurality of record strips may be fed and supported for the reception of an inscription, and having a means for restraining the strip in inscription receiving position, and manual means for releasing said strip restraining means, of a detachable attachment for said machine having spaced pins for engaging apertures in the strips to align them in inscription receiving position, a movably mounted strip disengaging member extending under the strips adjacent said aligning pin, and means for-connecting said movable disengaging member for operation by said manual releasing means so as to disengage the strips from said pins when said strip is restrained by said restraining mean s.

25. The combination with a machine of the character described having a writing platen over which a plurality of record strips may be fed and supported for the reception of an inscription and having a means for restraining the strip in inscription receiving position and manual means for releasing said strip restraining means, of a detachable attachment for sald machme having spaced pins for cn a in aoertures in the stri s to b D O align them in inscription receiving position, a movably mounted strip guide having'a part underlying the strips adjacent said pins and a part overlying said strips so as to carry them toward or away from said pins, and means for connecting said strip guide for operation by said manual releasing means.

26. A strip aligning device including, in combination, spaced aligning pins for engagement with apertures formed in the strip, and a movably mounted member having a part underlying the strip adjacent said aligning pins for lifting the strip from engaged position with said pins.

27. A strip aligning device including, in combination, spaced aligning pins for engagement with apertures formed in the strip, a movably mounted member having a part overlying the strip and a part underlying the strip and positioned adjacent said aligning pins for lifting the strips fromengaged position with said pins or moving it toward said pins' 28. A strip aligning device including, in combination, spaced aligning pins for engagement with apertures formed in a record strip, a movably mounted plate having offset parts, one of which underlies the'strip adjacent said aligning pinsfor lifting the strip from engaged position with said pins, and another of said offset parts overlying the strip and said plate having a strip receiving slot positioned between said offset parts.

29. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a Writing platenover which a record strip may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, means engaging the strip at longitudinally spaced parts thereof for restraining it against longitudinal movement, a strip tensioning presser bar bearing upon the face of the strip at a part thereof disposed between said strip restraining means, and means for freeing the strip from the restraining influence by one of said restraining means While said presser bar remains active to move the strip relatively to said released restraining means.

30. In a machine of the character described, in 'combination, a writing platen over which a record strip may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, means engaging the strip at longitudinally spaced parts thereof for restraining it against longitudinal movement, a swingably mounted presser bar contacting with said strip at one side of said platen and exerting a pressure upon said strip transversely to the surface thereof, and means for successively operating said strip engaging'means to free the strip at said spaced parts thereof from the restraining influence exerted by the strip engaging means,

said presser bar being mounted to exert its said pressure upon the strip subsequently to said freeing operation of one of said strip engaging means but prior to the freeing operation of another of said strip engaging means so as to jog the engaged part of the strip away from said first-released strip engaging means while the other strip engaging means remains in strip restraining position.

31. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a writing platen over which a plurality of superposed record strips may be fed and supported for reception of an inscription, means positioned at one side of the platen for restraining the strip against longitudinal movement, means positioned at the other side of the platen for restraining the strip against longitudinal movement and ineluding pins adapted to enter apertures in the strip, and means disposed between said strips restraining means for exerting a pressure upon the face of the strip, while restrained by said restraining means so as to tension and smooth the strip over the platen.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDWARD KIRBY BOTTLE. 

